ABSTRACT
During times of change, mature bureaucratic systems tend to become reactionary, in that they tend to seek solutions to present problems by using traditional approaches. A good example of this is our approach to dealing with petroleum cost and supply problems. Another example is our current "manipulative" style of agriculture, heavily dependent upon non-renewable resource inputs. Many of the crops grow on marginal land and require a minimum of inputs. Many of them are perennials and require less intensive cultivation than annuals. The commercial development of these crops would provide farmers with a form of crop insurance. The major focus of efforts to speed the development of underutilized crops at present is the bill to establish an Arid Lands Renewable Agricultural Resources Corporation. Industry involvement could be in the form of closely coordinated, wholly privately funded research, or could take the form of industry-university matching research efforts.
